Question Period Note: Indigenous Health

• We are working to close the gap in access to quality healthcare between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada, by:
o supporting 63 community-led mental wellness teams serving 344 communities;
o approving more than 572,000 requests for products and services have been approved under Jordan’s Principle since 2015; and
o providing coverage of health benefits to over 873,000 First Nations and Inuit in 2018-19.
• We are also working to ensure that Indigenous peoples are in the driver’s seat when it comes to designing and delivering their healthcare programs and services.

Background
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) works collaboratively with partners to improve access to high quality services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Our vision is to support and empower Indigenous peoples to independently deliver services and address the socio-economic conditions in their communities.
The First Nations and Inuit Health Branch within ISC supports First Nations and Inuit in their aim to influence, manage, and control health programs and services that affect them.
The most advanced model of First Nations health transfer is in British Columbia where a tripartite Framework Agreement was signed in 2011 and led to the full devolution of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch’s regional operations in 2013 to a newly established First Nations Health Authority.

If pressed on health services
• We remain focused on supporting long-term investments that will improve the health and well-being of Indigenous communities.
o By listening to Indigenous communities, we have advanced shared priorities such as:
o Ensuring that 92% of mothers travelling for childbirth between June 2017 and March 2019 were accompanied by a preauthorized individual of their choice,
o Completing 197 of the 208 health-related infrastructure projects underway since 2016,
• We will continue working with partners towards improved health services and programs for Indigenous peoples.

Remote First Nation Communities – Access to Health Services
• We know that the best success comes from Indigenous-led and delivered health systems.
• It is why our Government is working with provincial and First Nations partners to achieve system-wide health transformation in northern First Nation communities.
• We are advancing work with partners in Manitoba, Quebec, Ontario and Saskatchewan on health system transformation, with $71 million dedicated over three years to support this work.

Distinctions-based Indigenous Health Legislation
• In a country as prosperous as Canada, no one should go without the care they need, when and where they need it.
• Indigenous Peoples have the right to high-quality health care and services that are adapted to their needs.
• We are committed to co-developing Indigenous Health legislation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis that responds to the realities of Indigenous communities and increases their control over the development and delivery of services.

If pressed on how distinctions-based Indigenous health legislation relates to COVID
• The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for strong mechanisms and adequate funding to ensure that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis have access to high-quality health and mental health services.
• Canada is committed to working with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners to co-develop distinctions-based Indigenous health legislation through an agreed upon, collaborative engagement process.
• Co-development provides an opportunity to advance shared health priorities post COVID-19.
• Improving the health and wellness of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis remains a priority for the Government of Canada.

Health services in the North
• We are working with territorial and Indigenous partners to advance the health and safety of First Nations and Inuit in the North.
• While territorial governments are responsible for the delivery of health care in the territories, we work in partnership to ensure First Nations and Inuit have access to the culturally safe supports and services, including on the land activities.
• In 2020/21, we are allocating $31.8 million to support mental health programming and services in all 72 First Nations and Inuit communities in the three territories.

If Pressed on health services in the North during COVID-19:
• We are working with territorial and Indigenous partners to advance the health and safety of First Nations and Inuit in the North.
• Our government is supporting Indigenous communities to implement culturally relevant emergency measures to promote on the land physical distancing.
• We have allocated $29.6 million to support mental health programming and services in all 72 First Nations and Inuit communities in the three territories.
• In response to COVID-19, a pan-territorial Indigenous working group been established and will continue to work with Indigenous partners to help them protect their health and safety during this pandemic.